KARACHI: Import of paper delays availability of textbooks - STB plan termed ill-advised
By Mukhtar Alam
KARACHI, April 16: A decision to import printing paper for textbooks from Indonesia through a third party was an ill-advised move, which had put almost all school-goers in the province in trouble, said market sources.
The people at the helm of affairs termed the relevant agreement signed between the Sindh Textbook Board and a private party a "funny thing", allegedly aimed to serve vested interest.
Availability of the complete range of textbooks is still a far cry. The basic requirement -the printing paper - had been lying at the port for the last three months and the STB could not be delivered the imported paper at its Landhi Godown as per schedule agreed upon by both parties although the private party had already been handed Rs22.5 million as "Mobilization advance", said a source privy to the STB.
The agreement clause calls for refund of the entire amount of mobilization advance alongwith markup or damage from the private party, but, the STB had not taken any action in this regard despite knowing the fact that the last part of the imported consignment, as committed by the private party, was to reach in the STB territory latest by Feb 15, added the source.
Talking to Dawnfrom his Jamshoro office on Friday, the STB chairman said: "Give me two days and the whole crisis regarding free textbooks will be sorted out befittingly."
The paper consignment, which was meant for books to be distributed free of cost among all primary school students in the province, could not be delivered in time only because the STB failed to ensure flow of money for the private party for onward handling of the consignment, sources said.
The agreement in question states, "No expenses shall be made by the Sindh Textbook Board in respect of opening of LC (letter of credit), clearance, loading or unloading from the ship or transportation from port to the godown". All such expenses would be borne by the private party engaged by the board, it added.
It may be recalled here that the approval for procuring imported papers for printing of "one-time used primary class books" was accorded by the chief minister, following which the STB floated tenders for printing papers for 2004-2005 in July last.
A total of three bids were received, including one from the party in question, which agreed to supply STB the offset white printing paper of 22x23 size with water mark insignia "Sindh Textbook Board" at the rate of Rs61,500 per tonne for 22x23. The total consignment weighed about 2,439 tonnes.
Referring to the then rate of the paper, the market sources said that the LC was opened by the STB much on higher side. They also ridiculed the idea of opening an LC by the STB when the rate of paper was being quoted by the private party.
In principle, the private party must have opened the LC and carried out all related exercise till the delivery of papers at the STB godown, said a marketeer.
Second clause of the agreement stated that the STB would open LC in any scheduled bank for import of paper individually and the private party would provide all necessary assistance and financial charges for opening the LC, whereas necessary documentation would be completed by the STB as per requirement of the bank.
Sources said that the private party, as per the agreement, had to borne government levies, taxes or duties, insurance cost and other related charges. However, the STB had been trying for duty exemption on the paper consignment, they added. It was very likely that the STB would have to pay the damages on the consignment as well, added a source.
When the private party's representatives were approached on telephone, they avoided to talk on the matter. STB chairman, however, maintained that he had been taking all actions after the approval of the competent authorities, including the secretary and minister for education as well as the chief minister. Complete transparency was being observed and the whole problem was being faced due to late arrival of funds from various districts, he added.
To a question, he said that it was true that he had gone to Indonesia but by that time the consignment had already been shipped to Karachi. "In fact I had gone to inspect the related documents there," he added, saying that I cannot be blamed for any foul play as everything was in line with the permissions of my superior authorities.
In the meantime, it was learnt that the provincial education department would hold a meeting on the issue of shipment and non- availability of textbooks on Saturday.
It was further learnt that a government investigation agency had also initiated enquiry into the matter, but findings were not being told under the directives of high ups, who were allegedly involved in the game of negligence and lust.
According to a book publisher of the STB, he has been provided with local papers as well for printing of textbooks. In order to save time, he said, it was expected that books after being printed would be delivered in consignments to districts for onward distribution.
It may be mentioned here that for the last many years, the STB had been using local paper for printing of textbooks, which proved good for students, particularly for free distribution.
